Shaping Future Society
Shaping Future Society
Shaping
Public Policy
Our science community contributes to shaping public opinion on diverse causes, through education, advocacy or collaborations with interest groups.
Climate Policy Workshops
On 1, 2 and 8 March 2023, NUS’ Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions (CNCS) hosted Dr Marlene KAMMERER from the Institute of Political Science and Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Switzerland, for three workshops on climate policy. Over 100 students studying energy / climate policy gained insights on how to measure climate policy performance and the importance of carefully interpreting the numbers.
Pulitzer Center Briefing
On 17 May 2023, CNCS and the Pulitzer Center’s Southeast Asia Rainforest Journalism Fund organised a briefing on carbon markets for journalists. The session provided an overview of carbon markets and how they relate to the Paris Agreement, an international treaty on climate change. It also featured a discussion on the co-benefits of nature conservation and carbon projects for local communities. This briefing sought to inform reporters on the link between forestry and climate change, the rise of carbon markets and the spread of misinformation on these issues.
CNCS Outreach Initiatives: Go Green SG
On 5 July 2023, CNCS and the Sentosa Development Corporation brought together scientists studying Southeast Asia’s rich natural capital and professionals from the tourism and events sector for a networking event, ‘Cocktails and Conservation’. The event focused on Singapore’s growing carbon services industry and carbon credits as a means to reduce emissions.
Also in conjunction with Go Green SG, CNCS co-organised an educational workshop with The Social Space Café on 8 July 2023 on the negative impacts of coffee cultivation, preparation and consumption on forests and wildlife. The event aimed to educate participants on the importance of doing their part to address these issues.
World Quantum Day (2023)
On 14 April 2023, NUS’ Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) collaborated with Science Centre Singapore (SCS) to organise a session on quantum entanglement which drew over 70 participants. This was followed by a screening of Missed Call, the winning entry of the Quantum Shorts Film Festival which used quantum entanglement as a metaphor for human connection. CQT doctoral students ZAW Lin Htoo, Pooja JAYACHANDRAN and Peter SIDAJAYA then took the audience through the theory.
The event wrapped up with NUS Physics’ and CQT’s Prof Christian KURTSIEFER giving the audience a taste of what experimentalists can do with quantum entanglement.
Our alumni and students are also actively contributing to the fight against climate change.
Keeping the seas alive
“My vision is to clean up Singapore’s seas so that everyone can enjoy it.”
To address the harmful impacts of marine debris on coral reefs, our Master of Science (MSc) in Science Communication alumna (2020) Ms SAM Shu Qin cofounded Our Singapore Reefs to bring together different stakeholders and inspire collective action in marine conservation.
Ms Sam contributes to the Singapore Blue Plan and works with government agencies, such as the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on community outreach programmes. She also organises marine conservation programmes with the International SeaKeepers Society (Asia) and marine cleanups with partners, a valuable data source for global marine debris databases. She finds it “gratifying” when her research is incorporated into policies on environmental management. Ms Sam received the Conservation International 10 for Zero Award (2023) and was named to the Gen.T List (2023) for young leaders in Asia.
Shining a light on climate challenges
“I believe in using my education to positively influence the social realities of vulnerable global communities.”
Year 2 Environmental Studies student Judith KO was selected to represent Singapore as a youth climate advocate when her team’s proposal was ranked first amongst over 55,000 other teams in the International ClimateScience Olympiad (2022).
Judith was formally invited to speak as a youth panellist at the inaugural Singapore Pavilion at the Conference of Parties (COP) 27 held in Egypt in November 2022, where she presented her net zero cities policy proposal to climate leaders from civil society, and the government and industry sectors. As Singapore’s delegate at the Association of Pacific Rim Universities Student Global Climate Change Simulation, she also gained insights into the intricacies and multidimensionality of effective global environmental policymaking.
Contributing to
Regional and International Development
The Faculty continues to make meaningful contributions to education and research in the region and beyond, through collaborative projects which facilitate the exchange of information and expertise.
Our Global Classrooms integrate classroom learning with experiential learning abroad to enrich our students’ learning. Some of these programmes are co-organised with partner universities overseas.
Credit: Hokkaido University (drone footage)
#SP2201 Agri-Science in Japan and Singapore
Reinventing farms with agritechnology
“It was a great opportunity to explore my interest in agriculture in a country that prides itself on its high quality produce while bringing together innovation and tradition.”
A group of 20 students from NUS Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Food Science and Technology and 10 students from Hokkaido University (HU) were introduced to agricultural practices and agriscience in Singapore and Japan in a two-week joint summer programme#.
In addition to field trips to experience rice planting, apple jam-making and sericulture, the students visited Yoichi Orchard and the Green House Museum in HU, and NUS’ Agritech Centre and various farms in Singapore. They gained wide-ranging insights from farming to upstream and downstream processing at postharvest, sustainable urban farming, smart farming with agritechnology and automation as well as food security.
Connecting with nature
“As a student who is passionate about insects, getting the chance to sample insect orders alongside a seasoned expert was a valuable experience!”
#LSM4263 Field Studies in Biodiversity
A group of 29 NUS and exchange students was introduced to basic techniques in field biology, sampling design and data management in this course#.
During their six-day field trip in Pulau Tioman, Malaysia, they had the opportunity to explore and experience its rich tropical biodiversity, such as coastal habitats, mangrove wetlands, primary and secondary forests as well as offshore reefs. They conducted mini-projects in four separate habitats to shed light on the intricate ecological dynamics of Tioman’s wildlife. They also participated in guided night walks or intertidal trips.
Our students and alumni have made us proud – not just by winning sports accolades, but also by setting new records and benchmarks of excellence.
Life Sciences alumna (2022) Ms Marina CHAN was part of the history-making women’s swimming 4 x 100m freestyle relay quartet that clinched Singapore’s 1,000th Gold Medal at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in May 2023.
Chemistry alumna (2023) Ms Kiria TIKANAH was part of the women’s épée team which raked in Singapore’s seventh fencing gold at the SEA Games (2023), surpassing their previous best tally of six golds last year.
Biological Sciences doctoral student Mr Sirius NG was part of a mixed crew which placed first at the Singapore Dragon Boat Festival in June 2023.
Serving
Our Community
Our Science family continues to make meaningful contributions to society.
Providing the best start in life for every child
“Cultivating the potential of young minds and empowering underserved children are at the heart of our mission.”
Statistics alumna (2007) Ms CHEONG Su Fen believes that every child should have equal access to learning opportunities. She therefore pivoted from her career in the public sector to set up Preschool Market, a social enterprise supporting the early childhood sector.
Her company offers preschool consulting, teacher training, curriculum development as well as research and resource support. It is currently working with the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) on a President’s Challenge initiative – Start Small Dream Big – with over 1,130 preschools and 77,000 preschoolers giving back to the community through different projects every year.
Preschool Market was recognised as a Champion of Good by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) in 2022. It is also working with education advocates in Mongolia, Taiwan and across Southeast Asia.
Redefining entertainment
“We want to impart the right values to our youths through the content they consume from online media.”
What began as a social sharing website has now become a global content and brands management company. Today, Gushcloud International, cofounded and headed by Life Sciences alumna (2006) Ms Althea LIM, is a step closer to its vision of building sustainable careers in the creator economy, and bridging the east with the west in entertainment.
The company now operates in 11 countries across Asia and the United States and has built a global ecosystem to support the creative industry. In the future, Ms Lim aims to bring the company to an initial public offering and into the Middle East. She was recently recognised as the Overall Winner of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) category at the Women Entrepreneur Awards (2023).
Giving back
“The impact of our work on communities is incredibly motivating, especially when people come together and work towards a common goal.”
Witnessing the joy on beneficiaries’ faces inspires Year 2 Data Science and Analytics student Delphine LOKE to help less fortunate communities. As the Director of NUS’ Science Volunteer Corps (SVC), Delphine organises outreach programmes for underprivileged children such as regular mentoring sessions, science enrichment activities and learning journeys to educational sites like the Southeast Asia (S.E.A.) Aquarium. She also reaches out to the elderly through activities at day care centres.
Through volunteerism, Delphine has discovered the power of uplifting spirits and forged meaningful connections with her beneficiaries and others who share a passion in making a difference.